Need to replace main shutoff valve

[eddy75]

Hi there,

The main water line coming into my home is equipped with a gate valve. I had to replace my hose facet this summer and noticed that the valve would not completely close which made the repair a little more difficult (and wet). I'm looking to replace the valve with a ball type but had a few questions.

1. Is there a specific type of ball valve I would need? One made for main water lines?
2. Can I use compression fittings or does it need to be soldered?
3. Do I need to remove the old valve or can I install the new valve further up the pipe?
4. The portion of pipe below the valve has a blueish/greenish film on it. Is this an issue, should I replace this section of pipe while I'm at it?

 

[wrench187]

I had to deal with the same issue fairly recently. My main shut off looks nearly identical to your setup but I have a galvanized water main line with a gate valve shut off that would not fully shut off the water.

Rather than risking messing with with old valve, breaking the pipe trying to get the old valve off, I decided to add a new copper line and shut off above the old gate valve.

The old gate valve did not / was not leaking.

I did have to get the city out to shut off the main line at the street while I did this - but it was free and they were very helpful and responsive.

BTW I did use the thicker copper line for the new shut off . The new shut off was a standard ball valve - nothing fancy

 

[eddy75]

Thanks for the info. I'll probably do the same and leave the old vale in place.

 

[frodo]

the ball valve is backwards, handle points direction of flow

like the cuff on a union goes with the flow uniformity man uniformity